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         REV. RICHARD HUGHES, a resident of Columbus City Township, was born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales, May 8, 1825, and is a son of Rev. David and Ann (Davis) Hughes, who were also natives of the same county. Mrs. Hughes was a daughter of Rev. Richard Davis, a noted minister of Wales. Our subject received his education in his native land, and was mostly instructed in the study of the ministry by his father. In August, 1858, he was ordained by the Welsh Calvinistic Church, and his first charge was over three churches, Llangendeule, Llandyviolog and Bankycapel, of which he remained pastor for ten years. At the end of that time he left his native land and emigrated to America in May, 1870, and took charge of two churches in Le Sueur County, Minn., where he remained for four years. Receiving a call from the church in Columbus City, he there began his pastoral duties in May, 1874, continuing his connection with the Salem Church for ten years, when he entered upon the work of the Bethel Church in Columbus City Township. For twenty-two years he engaged in preaching the Gospel in Wales, where he was highly appreciated, and in connection with the church work of his congregation in Louisa County he is President of the Welsh Calvinistic Missionary Society of America, and Superintendent of the Welsh Missions west of the Mississippi River. He has traveled extensively in the West in the performance of his duties, and has done effective work in that line.

On the 21st of May, 1847, Rev. Hughes was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Rees, a native of Carmarthenshire, Wales, and who is a daughter of William Rees, also of that country. To them have been born a family of nine children: William H., a commercial traveler, residing at Columbus Junction; Ann, wife of Thomas J. Jones, of Clay County, Iowa; David R., a resident farmer of Columbus City Township; Mary, wife of William R. Jones, who is engaged in farming in Le Sueur County, Minn.; Elizabeth, a teacher, residing at home; Richard J., who has charge of the home farm; Rachel and Sarah are also both teachers; and Ebenezer, a printer, is employed in Emporia, Kan.

Mr. Hughes owns a small farm of ninety-three acres of land. He is a strong advocate of prohibition principles, and by his influence and labors has aided the temperance work since his tenth year. Politically, he is a Republican, and takes great interest in political and public affairs. He has reared a family of children who are now all Christian men and women, and are an honor to his name. His life has been devoted to church work. His earnest efforts in the cause of right have done much toward bettering the condition of the world, and his own life, as far as it is possible to make it, is an example of the cause which he advocates. His Christian influence is felt throughout the community, where he is universally beloved and respected.